Mexico February 2017: Kia breaks into Top 5, market up 6.5%

First Top 5 ranking for Kia in Mexico, the Sportage is up to a record 15th spot.

* See the Top 40 All-brands and Top 220 All-models by clicking on the title *

After slowing down to just +3% in January, the Mexican new car market steps up again in February at +6.5% to 117.985 registrations, lifting the year-to-date tally up 4.7% to a record 241.254 units after two months. February figures establish a new record for the month, and Mexico has now posted year-on-year gains for 34 consecutive month and monthly records for the 26th time in a row. The deceleration of the market isn’t to be disputed though: January and February mark two consecutive months of single digits year-on-year gains, a feat that had not occurred in almost three years: since May (+0.8%) and June (+0.5%) 2014. Market leader Nissan follows the market at +5% to 29.907 deliveries ad 25.3% share, ahead of Chevrolet at 15.7% (+8%) and Volkswagen at 13.3% (-2%) thus making the Mexican podium identical to both FY2016 and YTD2017 rankings.

The Nissan Versa remains the best-selling nameplate in Mexico.

Toyota soars 16% to return to the 4th place it held in 2016, but once again the best performer atop the Mexican market is recent newcomer and local producer Kia: more than doubling its sales year-on-year (+104%), the Korean marque establishes a new market share record at 5.4% but most impressively breaks into the Mexican brands Tpp 5 for the very first time, distancing Ford (-12%), Honda (-2%) and Mazda (-8%). Sister brand Hyundai is also in great shape at +44%, ahead of Dodge (+23%) and Ram (+20%). Further down, biggest gainers include Volvo (+18%), Mercedes (+27%) and Fiat (+51%) whereas at the other end of the stick Chrysler (-24%), Jeep (-42%), Isuzu (-44% and Land Rover (-61%) struggle.

The Chevrolet Spark is up 39% to third position in February. 

Model-wise, like in January Nissan manages a 1-2, placing the Versa in pole position at 6.776 sales (+5%) and the Pickup in 2nd place at 6.363 (+33%). The Chevrolet Spark leaps up two spots on last month to land on the podium thanks to deliveries up a fantastic 39% to 6.246 thanks to the new model. In fact, the entire Top 6 best-selles list double-digit gains this month, indicating a slight concentration of the market around ‘tried and tested’ nameplates. The Chevrolet Aveo surges 59% to 4th place, the VW Vento is up 12% at #5 and the Nissan March up 24% to #6/ The Nissan Sentra (+15%) and VW Gol (+13%) also shine inside the Top 10 while the discontinued Nissan Tsuru logically sinks 28% at #9. Just outside the Top 10, the Ford Figo gains 113% to 2.087 units while the Nissan Kicks signs its 2nd month among Mexico’s 20 best-sellers at #20, the previous occurrence being last November (#19).

The Renault Captur finally reaches Mexican shores. 

Now looking at Kia’s stellar performance in the detail. This month, the brand’s best-seller in the Sportage up 45% year-on-year to 1.753 sales and 14 spots on January to a record-breaking 15th place – previous best was #16 in July 2016. As a reminder, the Sportage ranked at #19 over the Full Year 2016. Just below the Sportage, the Kia Forte is up 122% to 1.744 deliveries and four ranks on last month to #16, also breaking its ranking record – previous best was #20 last month. 100% of Kia Forte sold in January are made in Mexico. The Kia Rio is the brand’s third best-seller this month, up a gigantic 244% to 1.178 sales at #26. This month marks the start of local Mexican output for the Rio with 746 sales or 63.3% of its total produced locally. Finally, we welcome the Renault Captur at #140 and the Jaguar F-Pace at #215.

Previous month: Mexico January 2017: Nissan Versa and Pickup top market up just 3%

One year ago: Mexico February 2016: Nissan Versa sails off in market up 13.5%

Full February 2017 Top 40 All-brands and Top 220 All-models below.